Westwood's Housing Future: Sustainable Growth and Equitable Opportunity.
Housing Production Plan
COMPANY
Westwood
ROLE
Housing Committee Member
EXPERTISE
Fair Housing
YEAR
2024
Project Description
The Housing Production Plan for Westwood, Massachusetts, is a working document that aims to address the growing need for diverse and affordable housing options in the town.
The plan acknowledges the increasing unaffordability of housing, particularly for young professionals, seniors, low- and moderate-income earners, and people of color. It highlights a gap in mid-density and supportive housing options. To meet these needs, the plan explores strategies for increasing housing production, expanding by-right development, and addressing infrastructure constraints.
The plan emphasizes the importance of mixed-use development to balance the tax burden and promote walkability and sustainability. The plan also recognizes potential barriers to development, including costs, land availability, and construction expenses, and seeks to find solutions to overcome these challenges.
Process
The Housing Partnership/Fair Housing Committee analyzed the plans given in front of them and decided to hold a Visioning Session in order to engage with Westwood community members and receive feedback on the plan.
A Housing Production Plan (HPP) is valid for five years from the date it is approved by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). All HPPs must be updated and renewed within five years of the approval date through a 90-day review process or as otherwise required by the EOHLC. The EOHLC has the option to consider a major amendment to an HPP as a renewed plan.
Typically, Housing Production Plans are developed with opportunities for community residents to become informed of the planning process and the plan, and to provide input. This results in a reflection of community needs and leads to the creation of a diverse housing supply. The Committee decided to utilize a few methods to gather data and seek engagement. This includes:
Understanding current demographics: by viewing housing stock using census data, and supplementing that data with information from regional planning agencies, realtors, and media sources.
Projecting future population and housing needs: such as taking regional growth factors and various income levels into account.
Identifying development constraints and limitations: such as steep slopes, watershed areas, or brownfields, which can often be illustrated using maps.
Evaluating the capacity of existing infrastructure: such as water and sewer systems, roads, utilities, public transit, schools, and other public facilities, to accommodate current and future growth.